College of Law :: Georgia State University

Criminal Defense Externship--Office of the Public Defender for the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit

LAW 8176

Description

(3) hours per semester, two semester requirement. Our preference is for a two semester commitment, but will consider students who are only interested in an externship for the fall semester. Open to third year students only. Courses preferred: Criminal Procedure I and II. Our office is responsible for representing all indigent people who have been accused of juvenile, misdemeanor, and felony crimes in DeKalb County, Georgia. Our downtown Decatur office begins representing indigent clients at the time of their arrest and continues this representation through final disposition of their case, including any appeals. This is a unique opportunity to integrate what the student has learned in law school with the practical application of practicing law. Under the supervision of an attorney, the third year student will be sworn in under the third year practice act and will be expected to represent clients in court. The student will have the opportunity to experience all courtroom procedures including preliminary hearings, arraignments, pretrial hearings, motions hearings, and jury trials. The student can expect to have many varied "hands on" experiences that will involve spending much of their time in court and with clients. Students will also be responsible for interviewing clients as well as witnesses, researching and preparing legal motions and memoranda, and assisting attorneys in all phases of trial preparation. All students who have not previously taken an externship must attend a classroom component at the law school. Consent of the Lawyer Skills Program faculty is required for enrollment.

Credit hours: 3